MIKE LONDON NAMED RICHMOND HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 19, 2008) - Director of Athletics Jim Miller announced today that Mike London has been named the new head football coach at the University of Richmond. London '83, who played and coached for the Spiders, was officially introduced as Richmond's 33rd head coach during a press conference Saturday at the Jepson Alumni Center on campus.
London, 47, has spent six of the past seven seasons molding one of the nation's top defenses at the University of Virginia. He returned to Charlottesville in 2006 after spending the previous season as the defensive line coach with the NFL's Houston Texans. London was a member of Al Groh's original staff at UVa from 2001-04, coaching the defensive line. He was also the program's recruiting coordinator from 2002-04.
"We are thrilled to have Mike lead our football program," said Miller. "He has proven himself as a talented football coach and great recruiter, while experiencing football at its highest level. Having played, graduated and coached at Richmond, we are confident that Mike is a perfect fit for the University and will continue to attract student-athletes that reflect his same qualities."
This will be London's first head coaching position and marks the first time at Richmond since the Ed Merrick era (1951-65) that an alumnus has led the football program.
Behind a defense ranked 23rd in the NCAA, Virginia ended the season 9-4 with an appearance in the Gator Bowl. The Cavaliers were ranked sixth in sacks (3.3/game), while allowing the NCAA's 19th-fewest rushing yards (106.9/game) and the 16th-fewest points (19.7/game) last season.
That performance came on the heels of the 2006 team that ranked 17th nationally in total defense, allowing just 289.5 yards/game - the fewest at UVa in 27 years.
Individually, London has mentored the development of an impressive list of All-ACC honorees, including 2007 unanimous All-America selection Chris Long. The Cavaliers senior linebacker, who is projected as a top-five selection in this year's NFL draft, will become the seventh London-coached defensive player to be drafted.
During his first stint at UVa, he helped the Cavaliers to three-consecutive bowl games and three-straight nationally-ranked recruiting classes as the recruiting coordinator.
"The University of Richmond is a special place," said London. "I chose Richmond as a player, started my collegiate coaching career here and am honored to be introduced today as its head coach. I want to thank Jim Miller and President Ayers for this opportunity, and thank everyone I have worked with throughout my career, especially my University of Virginia football family, who has prepared me to take this step."
A native of Hampton, Va., London played defensive back at Richmond from 1979-82. Under head coach Dal Shealy, he led the Spiders with six interceptions as a senior captain in 1982. In addition to earning All-State honors, he was chosen the team's MVP and received the Coaches Award. In 1982, the Virginia Peninsula Sports Club selected him as the male in-state Athlete of the Year.
London broke into the coaching ranks in 1988, spending two seasons with Richmond as the outside linebackers coach and admissions liaison. He then spent four years (1990-93) as the defensive line coach at William & Mary and was instrumental in the development of 1993 consensus All-America defensive tackle Craig Staub.
He returned to Richmond for three more years (1994-96) as the outside linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator on Jim Reid's staff. London coached All-America linebacker Shawn Barber, who was a fourth-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins in 1998 and just completed his ninth NFL season.
Prior to his first coaching stint at UVa, London served as defensive line coach at Boston College, from 1997-2000, where he helped lead the Eagles to two bowl appearances. While in Boston, he served as the pro scout liaison and staff representative for the assistant coaches in the Big East.
He graduated from Richmond in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and a year later received a degree in law enforcement from the Richmond Police Academy, serving as a detective for the street crimes unit from 1985-87. The Dallas Cowboys signed him as a free agent in 1983.
Mike and his wife Regina have seven children, Michael, Jr., Brandon, Kristen, Ticynn, Korben, Jaicyn and Madicyn.
His son, Brandon, led Massachusetts in receiving in 2006 and finished his career as the school's second-leading receiver. He currently is on the New York Giants roster. One of London's daughters, Kristen, is a junior guard on the UVa women's basketball team. His younger brother, Paul, was a defensive back at UVa from 1991-95.
TRANSACTIONS: Richmond ? Named Mike London head football coach